FY2026 Entrance Ceremony: Address by the President and CEO

On behalf of the entire executive team and all employees, I would like to extend my sincere welcome to each of you as you take your first step in your professional careers at Sumitomo Corporation.

Looking at the expressions on your face here today, I can sense not only anticipation but also anxiety and nervousness. But I believe that is the very proof that you are about to step into a new world. Those feelings will serve as an important starting point for your growth.

Now, on this memorable day marking your new beginning, I would like to share a few messages with you.

The first is how we should approach an era where uncertainty has become the norm. The second is how to leverage the evolution of AI to our advantage.

Let me begin with uncertainty. The world today is changing at a rapid pace, making it increasingly difficult to predict the future. Geopolitical developments—such as the situation in the Middle East, where events have unfolded at an astonishing speed—are having a profound impact on energy, resources, logistics, finance, and foreign exchange. These are developments that directly affect the business of an integrated trading and investment company such as ours.

The world is indeed in a highly unstable state. However, that is precisely the stage on which we play our role. The greater the uncertainty, the greater the role an integrated trading company is called upon to play, and the more society values what we can offer. It is precisely because there is no single “correct answer” that the true value of an integrated trading company lies in leveraging our intelligence, formulating hypotheses, making judgments, and working together with society to create solutions.

Without being swayed by what is happening right before our eyes,, I encourage you to dream of the future you want to create, envision businesses, develop plans, and put them into action. Furthermore, when operating in an uncertain environment, it is common to face results that differ from our expectations. In such cases, it is crucial to respond in an agile and flexible manner, adapting to the situation.

Next, let me turn to AI.
AI is no longer merely a convenient tool. It has become a catalyst for competition. AI’s information-gathering and analytical capabilities have reached remarkable levels and they are fundamentally transforming both the quality and speed of decision-making that humans are responsible for. Turning AI into our competitive advantage depends on how we combine human experience, critical thinking, and tacit knowledge with digital and AI technologies. Against this backdrop, Sumitomo Corporation formulated a new digital and AI strategy last fiscal year. We refer to this strategy as DAIS, an acronym derived from the first letters of “Digital and AI Strategy.” Sumitomo Corporation will place DAIS at the core of its strategy and evolve into an “integrated trading and investment company that generates profits through digital and AI.”

On the other hand, no matter how advanced AI becomes, human relationships remain indispensable in business—whether it’s engaging others to earn their cooperation or negotiating with clients to secure better terms. I often say, “In the end, it comes down to human capabilities.” In other words, I want you to enhance your ability to bring people together. To do so, sincerity and trust form the foundation. Building on that, I believe it is essential to enhance your abilities to inspire others with your dreams, your willingness to listen, and the mindset to consider things from another’s perspective. By developing these abilities, I want you to become individuals who make others think, "I want to work with this person."

Both the materialization of the geopolitical risks and the evolution of AI that I’ve discussed are progressing at a pace that exceeds anything we could have anticipated—far beyond our expectations. That is exactly why we must not rely on precedents or conventional approaches but instead look ahead and maintain a mindset of continuous self-transformation.

Here, I’d like to share a key phrase with you all. It is: “See Beyond, Be Beyond.”

First, “See Beyond.”
Let’s look not just at what’s happening right in front of us, but at what lies beyond. As I mentioned earlier, dream of the future, envision business opportunities, develop plans, and put them into action.
You have all been immersed in an environment where digital technology is the norm. The values and sensibilities you have naturally acquired will become an irreplaceable asset for the Sumitomo Corporation Group moving forward. I encourage you to question the “common sense” and “norms” that the company may unconsciously take for granted. Do not hesitate to challenge them.

Next, “Be Beyond.”
This means continuing to evolve as individuals. It is only natural that, as new hires, there are many things you do not yet understand or cannot do. Please learn, gain experience, and feel that you are growing, even if only a little, compared to who you were yesterday. Never stop evolving.

What kind of dreams do you hold when you join Sumitomo Corporation?
Sumitomo Corporation Group upholds the corporate message “Enriching lives and the world.” This embodies our commitment to realizing prosperity and dreams across the world through our business. Let’s work together to make those dreams a reality.

Along the way, you will undoubtedly face difficult situations and moments when you’re unsure of what to do. But rest assured, you have a place to return to in such times. That is the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s Management Principles and Sumitomo’s Business Philosophy that underpins it. It is the foundation that supports our Group and our unchanging core. In an era of change, this core becomes our greatest strength.

See Beyond, Be Beyond.
I sincerely look forward to witnessing your growth and future achievements.

---